Advances in the Use of Saliva as a Tool to Improve Well-being in University Communities (SALWELL)
General Overview
The SALWELL project seeks to create an interdisciplinary network of researchers, educators, and students to explore the potential of salivary biomarkers as tools for assessing well-being in university communities. By providing quantifiable methods to measure stress and well-being, the project aims to offer an objective basis for evaluating the effectiveness of activities designed to reduce stress and enhance overall well-being.
Purpose and Significance
Well-being is a critical aspect of academic success, but its objective measurement remains a challenge. Saliva presents a non-invasive, accessible, and reliable medium for evaluating stress and well-being through biomarkers. Despite its potential, salivary markers have yet to be widely tested in European university settings.
The SALWELL project will assess salivary stress markers across four universities, investigating variations across institutions, stress levels during low- and high-pressure periods, the effects of intervention programs, and correlations between salivary biomarkers and self-reported stress and well-being questionnaires.

Implementation Method and Timeline
The project is structured into six phases over 12 months:
Months 1-2: Recruitment of collaborators and development of research protocols.
Months 3-4: Collection of saliva samples and questionnaire data during low-stress periods.
Months 5-6: Collection of samples and data during high-stress periods.
Months 7-8: Implementation of stress-relief interventions, such as sports activities and animal-assisted interactions.
Months 9-10: Salivary analysis and interpretation of results.
Months 11-12: Joint discussion and dissemination of findings.
Expected Outcomes
The SALWELL project aims to establish a robust foundation for the quantifiable assessment of stress and well-being in university environments. Its key deliverables include:
Application of Salivary Biomarkers: Introducing and validating a reliable method for measuring stress and well-being within universities, with potential applications in other educational settings.
Development of a Questionnaire: Creating a tool to measure perceived stress and well-being, linking questionnaire data with salivary biomarker results.
Intervention Study: Evaluating the impact of stress-relief activities (e.g., sports and animal-assisted interventions) on well-being. Effective interventions will inform awareness campaigns to promote their adoption.
Communication and Dissemination:
- Publishing an open-access paper detailing correlations between salivary biomarkers and questionnaire findings, alongside publications on intervention effectiveness.
- Hosting a workshop to share project results with European educators, including the International Society of Education on Animal Sciences for dog-based interventions.
- Presenting findings to Vice-Rectors and wellness leaders from partner universities.
Future Funding Opportunities: Identifying funding sources to sustain and expand the network’s activities.
Contact:
Lorena Franco Martínez, University of Murcia